Facts: Overall standings in the Tour de Ski
1) Frida Karlsson, Sweden. 2) Tiril Udnes Weng, Norway, +1 minute and 12 seconds. 3) Kerttu Niskanen, Finland, +1.37. 4) Katharina Hennig, Germany, +2.00. 5) Rosie Brennan, USA, +2.28.
It was a real revenge after Friday’s sprint debacle for Frida Karlsson.
The Swede finished second in the mass start over 15 kilometers and continues to hold an iron grip on the Tour de Ski victory with only one stage remaining.
Before the mass start, Karlsson was chased closest by Tiril Udnes Weng and the plan was to create an increasing distance to the Norwegian.
Tiril Udnes Weng was long and well in the top group with, among others, Karlsson and Kerttu Niskanen. But with 2.5 kilometers to go, Karlsson & Co made a move and managed to hang on to the Norwegian, and the distance grew quickly.
With one kilometer to go, Udnes Weng was a full 20 seconds behind Frida Karlsson.
Frida Karlsson eventually sprinted to the finish as second. German Katharina Hennig won.
Udnes Weng finished seventh, 28 seconds behind Frida Karlsson, and is now over a minute behind before Sunday’s mass start with the final climb.
“I won’t say that I have given up, but it goes without saying that it will be very difficult to beat her,” says Udnes Weng.
TT: What can stop her?
— It’s probably if she hangs from a door frame again. As long as she’s healthy and fast, it’s hard to beat her.
According to Moa Ilar, Frida Karlsson has already decided on the tour:
— Yes, notes the Swede.
Karlsson’s personal trainer Per Nilsson does not want to say that it is decided.
– You never know. Krista (Pärmäkoski) got sick today, for example. But she has a good starting point and doesn’t need to stress tomorrow, he says.